10 YEARS!

Steve and I got to celebrate our 10 year anniversary recently. Normally we don't do much to celebrate because it's right before school starts and we usually have to pay for new school clothes for the kids, student fees (they are huge for jr high and high school!), school lunches and registration for our car. Needless to say we usually don't have much time or money to do more than stick around town and maybe go out to dinner. But this year we decided we deserved to really celebrate our ten year mark. So first a HUGE thank you to my parents who took care of the kids for four days. Maylee did well for her first time away from mommy but she did get sick with a fever and vomiting. Poor baby and poor gramma who had to take care of her. Also thanks to Steve's brother and sister-in-law who have a timeshare and helped us get an awesome condo for a few days at an amazing price. After work on Tuesday Steve picked me up at work and we headed to Midway. It is such a beautiful little town up in the mountains. The temps were lower and it was so peaceful. We spent several days together playing tourist, lounging around, playing games, watching movies, sleeping in and just being together. On our way home we got to stop at the temple and do sealings-we even did them in the same room that we were married in. It was awesome!

It was so nice! I just hope we don't have to wait 10 more years to do it again!

Pioneer Day

In Springville there isn't a lot going on for Pioneer day so we decided this year that we would go on a hike. We had never been to Stewart Falls as a family so we picked that as our destination-so did hundreds of others. But we still had a great time. I was a bit worried since we didn't have a hiking backpack for Maylee to ride in this time, we really need to invest in one. (Or stop hiking until she is older!) Anyway, we got about ten feet on the trail before Maylee said, "Hold you-me?" So onto my shoulders she went. Once we got a bit higher up and the trail was rockier and steeper she decided she wanted to walk which was probably harder than carrying her. I was pretty paranoid about her walking too close to the edge, running downhill and tripping over trees and rocks. It was four miles round trip and pretty hot but it was beautiful up there and cool near the falls. We had a good time together and Steve suggested that we make it a new tradition.

We tried several times to get a good family picture and it worked-except Maylee wasn't looking at the camera. One day we will get a good family picture with everyone smiling at the camera. That evening we had a yummy bbq, ate outside and then made smores over the firepit in the backyard. Matt and his family joined us with sparklers and then we watched all of the neighborhood fireworks. We stayed up way too late, ate too much and laughed a lot! It was nearly a perfect Pioneer day!

Only child (at home)

During July we let Koby and Morgan go and work on Papa and Gramma's farm for about 10 days. They had a great time. We missed them-especially Maylee! But during that time Maylee got to experience being the only child at home. I admit she did get a bit spoiled. Here are a few of the pictures we took. At Chili's she ate my corn on the cob and loved it! Then while Steve was getting his glasses repaired Maylee and I tried on glasses. I did her hair in braids for the first time ever and she looked so stinkin' cute. She had to model them for us. Maylee was very excited to see her siblings again, her old parents are kinda boring.

Splash pad

We got to have a nice visit with the Anderson girls earlier this month. On a very warm day we headed to the splash pad in Springville. The girls had a great time being together and enjoying the nice cool water!

Koby-the bunny sitter

Koby got to bunnysit for a few days, the girls enjoyed it!

Maylee talk

Here are some cute things that Maylee has been saying (and their translations): In the middle of Sacrament meeting Maylee loudly said to Peyton, "Sit on my crap!" which we all know means sit on my lap, but it was quite embarrassing when several heads turned to look at us. Chicken-monk = chipmunk, One million = watermelon; When I tell her I love you she will not say love you back but instead she has started saying Love-ly. She also calls fireworks, firecookies just like Koby used to. Maylee is so cute and she sure keeps us laughing.

We bought Maylee this new swimming suit and she loves it-she wants to wear it all the time. I think she has napped in it quite a few times. She has some weird name for her swimming suit but I have no idea how to spell what she says.

Riding lessons

So in order to become the best parents that Morgan has ever had (or will have), we set up horse back riding lessons for her. She gets to go 5 times and learn all about how to take care of and ride horses. At the first lesson Morgan had a huge allergic reaction and her face swelled up. Her eyes were nearly swollen shut and she had hives on her face. This picture was taken about one hour after she took Benadryl and had held a washcloth to her face.

Morgan was so upset. She told me that she didn't want to give up on her dream, which is to own horses one day. Day two went much better. We had Morgan take the allergy meds before we went and she borrowed one of Koby's bandanas.

Maylee, Steve and I got to be spectators! Ride 'em cowgirl!

Morgan is one happy girl!